Tallahassee-based K2 Urbancorp, LLC, is developing the 36-acre Evening Rose neighborhood. The site will consist of 132 homes, as well as a TND-style town center and 120,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, commercial, and live-work space within easy walking distance. K2 Urbancorp CEO David Wamsley says he was inspired by Andres Duany's New Urbanist developments in Seaside, Florida and elsewhere when creating the blueprint for Evening Rose.

In November, the developer announced he would join a select group of builders in the country who construct only LEED-certified homes. LEED inspectors focus on five key areas to determine a home's score: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality for occupants.

As part of the K2 Urbancorp's commitment to green building, homes at Evening Rose will use Low E Andersen® windows, Rinnai® tankless water heaters, high-efficiency Trane® heat pumps, Moen® low-flow showerheads and compact florescent light bulbs. The majority of homes will also feature HardiePlank™ and HardieShingle™ fiber cement siding, according to Wamsley.

Wamsley said he selected James Hardie because it is "the industry leader in cement board siding." The developer also feels that the Hardie product is "important to the overall envelope of the home," an important aspect of the structure which was awarded points toward LEED certification. The certification process took approximately seven months.

Homebuyers can choose from a variety of architectural styles at Evening Rose. They include Craftsman, Neotraditional Revival, Cottage, Regional Vernacular and Victorian, and Eclectic styles such as Tudor. Homes will feature many of the TND-style touches sought out by homebuyers, such as porches, vintage inspired lighting and plumbing, exterior detailing and a carriage house over the garage on some models.

In addition to K2 Urbancorp, five other builders make up the Preferred Builders group at Evening Rose: Aspirant Homes, Homes by Jana, R.F. Gray Builders, Signature Homes and William Faulkner Construction.

Wamsley says the James Hardie exteriors "absolutely" enhance the overall ambiance of the neighborhood by giving homes an authentic, traditional look. He also agrees the material gives homes a solid, quality feel. It's "the only siding to use other than brick," he maintains.

Located just three miles from downtown Tallahassee, homes at Evening Rose range from $300,000 to $800,000. Thirteen homes are now complete, and Wamsley estimates that build out will be complete in about two years.

For more information, visit: http://www.k2urbancorp.com/eveningrose/

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